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Related Concept Videos

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

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The intermediate filaments are one of three widely studied cytoskeletal filaments. They are so named as their diameter (10 nm) is in between that of microfilaments (7 nm) and the microtubules (25 nm).  These filaments are highly stable and can remain intact when exposed to high salt concentrations and detergents. These filaments are responsible for providing stability and mechanical support to the cells. They also help in cell adhesion and maintaining tissue integrity.
Intermediate...
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Types of Intermediate Filaments01:31

Types of Intermediate Filaments

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The intermediate filaments are an essential component of the cytoskeleton. Presently six types of intermediate filament have been identified. Type I and II are acidic and basic keratin proteins. Type III is of mesodermal origin and comprises four proteins: vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and peripherin. Vimentin is commonly found in mesenchymal cells, desmin in muscle cells, GFAP in astrocytes, while peripherin is found in peripheral nervous system neurons (PNS). Type...
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Formation of Intermediate Filaments00:57

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

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Intermediate filaments are cytoskeletal proteins with higher tensile strength and flexibility than microfilaments and microtubules. Unlike the other two cytoskeletal proteins, intermediate filament formation lacks the enzymatic activity to hydrolyze nucleotides like ATP and GTP to generate energy for polymerization. Therefore, the formation of intermediate filaments is multistep self-assembly. The involvement of any accessory proteins in intermediate filament formation has not yet been...
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Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...
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Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

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Intermediate filaments (IFs) do not undergo spontaneous disassembly. Enzymes, kinases, and phosphatases add and remove phosphates from specific sites to regulate their disassembly. The IF concentration in the cytoplasm also regulates the disassembly. If the concentration crosses a threshold, it activates the protein kinases in the vicinity, allowing the phosphorylation of IFs.
Keratin proteins, found at the cell periphery near cell junctions, undergo a cycle of assembly and disassembly. In Type...
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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
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Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Immobilization of Caenorhabditis elegans to Analyze Intracellular Transport in Neurons
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Intermediate Filaments in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Noam Zuela1, Yosef Gruenbaum1

  • 1Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Methods in Enzymology
|January 23, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intermediate filament (IF) proteins are crucial structural components in humans and Caenorhabditis elegans. This review covers IF protein knowledge in C. elegans, detailing their essential roles and analysis techniques.

Keywords:
Animal developmentCell mechanicsFilament assemblyLamin

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Intermediate filament (IF) proteins form essential structural elements in human and C. elegans cells.
  • Over 70 human genes and 12 C. elegans genes encode IF protein superfamily members.
  • IF proteins assemble into filaments (5-10nm) found in the cytoplasm, nucleoplasm, and at the nuclear periphery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge of cytoplasmic and nuclear IF proteins in C. elegans.
  • To describe methodologies for analyzing IF proteins in C. elegans.
  • To highlight the essential nature of specific IF proteins in C. elegans.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on C. elegans IF proteins.
  • Description of techniques for studying protein assembly and localization.
  • Discussion of genetic approaches to assess IF protein function.

Main Results:

  • C. elegans expresses 12 IF genes, with cell- and tissue-specific expression patterns.
  • At least 5 cytoplasmic IFs and the nuclear IF, lamin, are essential for organism viability.
  • IF proteins form heteropolymers and contribute to cellular structural integrity.

Conclusions:

  • Intermediate filaments play vital structural and essential roles in C. elegans.
  • Understanding C. elegans IFs provides insights into conserved biological functions.
  • Established techniques facilitate the analysis of IF protein structure and function.